If you have been injured on the job in California, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. California’s workers’ compensation system was established so that employees wouldn’t have to pay for their own medical care and related expenses when injured in workplace accidents.
However, while your case is still pending, there are certain activities you should avoid engaging in. This is simply because workers’ compensation insurance companies still operate the way all other businesses do. They prioritize saving money whenever possible and avoiding losses whenever they can. Additionally, insurers and employers are often vigilantly on the lookout for signs of workers’ compensation fraud.
Thus, engaging in certain behaviors when your case has yet to be settled could give an insurance company reason to deny your claim or offer less compensation than you think you deserve. Specifically, you should avoid:
Working Another Job
While your workers’ compensation case is still pending, it’s important to avoid working another job. If you take on another job, it could be seen as evidence that you are not as injured as you claim to be. It could also impact your ability to receive benefits, as your employer’s insurance company may argue that your injury is not severe enough to keep you from working.
Be aware that insurance companies sometimes hire investigators to keep an eye on workers’ compensation benefits applicants. Even if you think you can conceal the fact that you’re working another job, it’s possible an investigator is keeping tabs on you without you realizing it.
Failing to Attend Medical Appointments
One of the most important aspects of a workers’ compensation case is the medical treatment and documentation of your injuries. Failing to attend medical appointments could be seen as evidence that you are not taking your injury seriously or that you are not complying with the terms of your workers’ compensation claim.
Engaging in Physical Activities
Engaging in physical activities that are beyond the scope of your medical treatment plan could be seen as evidence that your injury is not as severe as you claim it to be. It’s important to follow the advice of your doctor and physical therapist to ensure that you are not putting your health or your workers’ compensation claim at risk.
Posting on Social Media
Posting on social media about your injury or your activities could also impact your workers’ compensation case. Insurance companies and attorneys may look to your social media accounts as evidence to support their case. It’s important to avoid posting anything that could be interpreted as evidence that your injury is not as severe as you claim it to be.
Your lawyer can provide you with more information about what you should and should not do to minimize your chances of accidentally hurting your case. This is just one of the many benefits you may experience as a result of hiring an attorney to assist you when seeking workers’ compensation benefits.
At Koszdin, Fields and Sherry, our Van Nuys workers’ compensation attorneys specialize in helping clients like you secure the benefits they deserve. For more information, contact us online or call us at 818-812-5639.
